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Paeonia
obovata v alba
- by David Ledsham |
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| Herbaceous Peony species are usually distinctly different in appearance
when compared with their more ornate
hybrid cousins. Nevertheless they possess
a simple beauty which is a delight to
welcome in late Spring and early Summer.
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| And they are much hardier than they look. Herbaceous species can emerge
from their Winter dormancy relatively
early in the year, whatever the weather,
although, with me, they don't begin to
flower before early May.
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The Paeonia obovata complex occurs throughout Asia but the fact that this
particular form is often referred to as
The Japanese Forest Paeony provides clues
both to its probable country of origin and
also to its preferred habitat. It really
does perform much better in semi-shade and
in my experience doesn't care for heat and
strong sunlight.
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| It is not a tall plant, maybe eventually reaching a height of 50-60 cm.,
and although its pristine white cup shaped
flowers are its most noticeable feature it
also possesses very beautiful foliage and with
my plants this remains a dull plum colour
throughout the growing season The startling
black and red of the open seed capsules offers
yet another bonus.
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| Apparently it is possible to propagate Peonies from root cuttings but I
prefer to grow them from seed which is
obtainable from specialist growers such as Will
McLewin at Phedar Nursery. In the case of
Paeonia obovata it can flower within 4-5 years
of the initial sowing. But if you decide to
try and grow them please remember the golden
rule. Paeonies usually possess double dormancy
which means
that only the root emerges in the first year of
growth to be followed by the shoot
in the following season. So have patience,
hold on to that pot !
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